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If you’re looking for a pick me up, this is for you!
Earlier this week, Harvard graduate student Donovan Livingston, performed a powerful spoken-word poem at the 2016 Convocation Exercises for the Harvard Graduate School of Education — leaving everyone with goose bumps. Titled “Lift Off,” the Master’s of Education scholar detailed the difficulties that have historically faced Blacks looking to further their education.
“For some, the only difference between a classroom and a plantation is time. How many times must we be made to feel like quotas, like tokens in coined phrases? ‘Diversity. Inclusion,’ ” said Livingston. “There are days I feel like one, like only. A lonely blossom in a briar patch of broken promises. But I’ve always been a thorn int he side of injustice.”
He went on to challenge traditional systems of power and authority in and outside of the classroom. “As educators, rather than raising your voices over the rustling of our chains, take them off. Un-cuff us,” he said. “Unencumbered by the lumbering weight of poverty and privilege, policy and ignorance.”
As for the driving behind his career path — education, Livingston said, “I teach in hopes of turning content into rocket ships, tribulations into telescopes. So a child can see their potential from right where they stand,” he said. “An injustice is telling them they are stars without acknowledging night that surrounds them. Injustice is telling them education is the key while you continue to change the locks.”
In conclusion, Livingston made an inspiring call to action. “I belong among the stars. And so do you. And so do they. Together, we can inspire galaxies of greatness for generations to come. No, sky is not the limit. It is only the beginning. Lift off.” Now that’s how you leave your mark.
Of course, Livingston is not alone in his sentiments. As of Saturday, his full speech which was posted on the school’s Facebook page, on Wednesday has been viewed over 8.5 million times with more than 185,000 shares. Watch the future educator’s chilling speech above and let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
